Earnings Per Share - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share From Continuing Operations (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023	Sep. 30, 2024	Sep. 30, 2023
Basic earnings per share from continuing operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (1,068,992)	$ 302,533	$ (1,254,742)	$ 2,191,156
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends	(41,687)	0	(94,959)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders	$ (1,110,679)	$ 302,533	$ (1,349,701)	$ 2,191,156
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,535	117,349	117,505	117,304
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (9.45)	$ 2.58	$ (11.49)	$ 18.68
Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation	$ (1,068,992)	$ 302,533	$ (1,254,742)	$ 2,191,156
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends	(41,687)	0	(94,959)	0
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders	$ (1,110,679)	$ 302,533	$ (1,349,701)	$ 2,191,156
Weighted-average common shares for basic earnings per share (in shares)	117,535	117,349	117,505	117,304
Incremental shares under stock compensation plans (in shares)	0	434	0	493
Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted (in shares)	117,535	117,783	117,505	117,797
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$ (9.45)	$ 2.57	$ (11.49)	$ 18.60